I stood alone, my heart shattered into a million pieces, as the ambulance screeched to a halt and the paramedics rushed my grandmother to the hospital. It was too late, she was already gone, leaving me alone in this world, heartbroken, clutching at my fragile, broken heart. The world went dark as I collapsed to the floor, my screams muffled as doctors and nurses rushed to comfort me. Their words of condolence were lost in the haze of my grief. I was alone, truly alone, and the weight of that realization threatened to suffocate me. Just as I thought I couldn't cry anymore, Emma burst into the hospital, her eyes red-rimmed from tears. She flung her arms around me, and we clung to each other, our sobs mingling as we wept for the woman who had been more than a grandmother to me - she had been my rock, my guardian, my everything. The doctor approached us gently, his expression somber. "Miss Avery, I need to speak with you," he said softly, his voice a gentle breeze on a summer day. I nodded, my eyes dry, my heart numb. Emma held my hand, a steady presence as the doctor led us to a quiet room. "Avery, your grandmother had been suffering from pancreatic cancer," he said, his words like a punch to the gut. "She refused treatment, saying she didn't want to burden you with her care." My world spun, my mind spinning with the revelation. Pancreatic cancer? Why hadn't Grams told me? Why had she suffered in silence? My Grandma had always been very secretive, I thought back to my own life, to the fact that I'd never known my father. Grams had never mentioned him, and I'd never asked, too afraid to stir up painful memories. But I'd always known that my mom had died giving birth to me, and that Grams had raised me as her own. Grams why, I said, crying my eyes out. My Grandma was my everything in this world I can't believe she is gone. The doctor handed me a letter, his eyes filled with compassion. "She gave this to me, Avery. She wanted you to have it." My hands trembled as I opened the letter, my eyes scanning the words, written in Grams's familiar handwriting. My dearest Avery, Don't blame yourself for anything that's happened. This was my choice, and I'm happy with it. I wanted to live my life to the fullest, and I have, thanks to you. I know I've been hard on you, but it's only because I want you to be strong, to be brave, to live the life you deserve. Don't let anyone or anything hold you back, Avery. You're capable of so much more than you think. I have another letter for you, hidden in my room. Read it after my funeral, and remember, I'll always be with you, watching over you. With all my love, Grams My heart ached as I read the words, my tears falling like rain. I felt a mix of emotions - guilt, anger, sadness - but most of all, I felt love, a love so pure and unconditional that it took my breath away. The funeral was a blur, a haze of black suits and tear-stained faces. I felt like I was floating above the scene, watching myself go through the motions. But when they lowered Grams' coffin into the ground, something inside me broke, and I crumbled, my heart shattering into a million pieces. As we walked away from the grave, it dawned on me that my Grandma is gone forever I won't be able to see her again, Emma turned to me, her eyes red-rimmed. "Avery, I'm here for you, always. We'll get through this together. I nodded, a small smile on my lips. I knew I wasn't alone, not really. I had Emma, and I had Grams' memory, guiding and inspiring me to be strong and brave. But as I looked at Emma, a question lingered in my mind, a question that would change everything: What lay ahead for me, now that I was truly on my own? My only family is gone, and I don't have any plans to fall back on for the future.

I woke up to the beautiful sight of Avery lying next to me. She looked peaceful, like an angel. Her chest was rising and falling with every breath, and her lips were slightly parted. I stared at her face for a while, feeling a strange flutter in my chest. It was a feeling I had never felt before, and it made me happy and scared at the same time. I didn't want to disturb her, so I slowly slipped out of bed. The floor was cool beneath my feet as I walked across the room. I was wearing only my boxers, and the morning air was a bit chilly. I shivered slightly as I made my way to the sitting room. As I entered the sitting room, Liam and Jason stopped arguing and looked at me with mischievous grins on their faces. They were sitting on the couch, surrounded by empty beer bottles and pizza boxes. The room was a mess, but I didn't care. I was used to their messes. "Speak of the devil," Liam said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "The playboy has finally graced us with his presence." I rolled my eyes, shaking my head in amusement. "What's going on here?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me. Jason, ever the instigator, chimed in, "We're just discussing the finer points of your love life, Ethan. Or should I say, lack thereof." I chuckled, playing along with their antics. "Ah, you mean the endless stream of ladies dying for my attention? The constant broken hearts and shattered dreams trying to own this fine specimen?" Liam snorted, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "You make it sound like you're a curse, Ethan." I shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant. "All you have to do is tell them what they want to hear, and they're putty in your hands." But as I said the words, I felt a pang of guilt, a nagging sense that I was being dishonest, not just with them, but with myself. Because the truth was, since I'd met Avery, I hadn't been interested in anyone else. She had awakened something in me, something real and raw and beautiful. My friends continued to tease me, their words a gentle hum in the background as my mind wandered back to Avery. I decided to check on her, make sure she was okay, and see if she wanted to grab some breakfast. As I walked back to the bedroom, I was surprised to find she wasn't there. I looked around, thinking maybe she'd gone to the bathroom, but she was nowhere to be found. A faint sense of unease crept up my spine, like a whisper in the dead of night. I didn't have time to dwell on it, though. My phone started ringing, and it was my little sister, Emily. I sighed, wondering what she wanted. Hope she doesn't want to convince me to let her join us on the vacation, I thought. Her words won't change my mind. I picked up the call, ready to tell her what's on my mind, but then I realized she was crying. "Em, why are you crying?" I asked, my tone softening and my senses on high alert. The next thing she said shocked me, made my heart skip a beat. "Mom's been involved in an accident, Ethan. She's in the hospital." My world came to a standstill. Mom? In an accident? I rushed out of the house, dialing the phone to arrange for a flight. I had to get to New York, to my mom's side. As I waited for the car to arrive, my mind was racing, a jumble of worst-case scenarios and what-ifs. What had happened to Mom? Was she okay? Would she... The questions swirled in my head, a mix of fear and uncertainty, as I stood there, frozen in shock, waiting for the world to come crashing down around me. I felt like I was in a nightmare, and I couldn't wake up. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, but I was trapped in a dark, cold world of fear and uncertainty. The car arrived, and I jumped in, my heart racing with anxiety. I couldn't wait to get to the airport, to get to my mom's side. As the car sped through the streets, I felt like I was on the edge of a cliff, staring into the abyss. What was waiting for me at the other end? Would my mom be okay? The car pulled up to the airport, and I jumped out, my heart racing with anticipation. I had to get to my mom's side, no matter what.

Ethan's POV

I arrived in New York, the city's familiar skyline a blur as I rushed through the airport. I hailed a taxi to the hospital normally a driver would have been waiting for me, but since I came back in a rush I didn't contact him to pick me up. We sped through the streets, my heart racing with every passing minute. As we arrived at the hospital, I rushed into the building I saw my dad and sister Emily outside the emergency room, their faces etched with worry. "How is she?" I asked, my voice shaking. Dad's eyes were red-rimmed, but he managed a weak smile. "She's still unconscious, but the doctors said she'll be fine." I nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. We waited for what felt like an eternity, the silence between us thick with unspoken fears. "But how did accidents happen?" I asked my dad "She was on her way to Harrison Luxury Events she had an early meeting, when a drunk driver bumped into her car." my dad explained with a calm demeanor. "So what about the driver" I asked "he wasn't injured, he has been arrested." Better that he was arrested if I had laid my hands on the bastard he would have been in the ICU not in jail. Finally, after an hour of waiting, Mom woke up, her eyes fluttering open. I felt a sob catch in my throat as I rushed to her side, hugging her gently. "Mom, I'm here," I whispered, trying to hold back tears. Emily rushed immediately to call the doctor. The doctor came in, his expression reassuring. "She needs to rest, but she's stable. The scans are clear, and she's lucky to have avoided any serious damage. We need to keep an eye on her and make sure she gets plenty of rest." As Mom drifted off to sleep, I turned to Dad, my eyes asking the question he knew I was too afraid to ask. "She'll be okay, son," he said, his voice low and steady. "She's strong." I nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude wash over me. My parents' love was the stuff of legends, the kind of love that made you believe in fairy tales. I hoped to build something like that with Avery someday. But then I remembered I hadn't told her what had happened, hadn't had a chance to explain before rushing off. I wanted to call her, but then I remembered I didn't have her number, and I had no way of getting in touch with her. Jason and Liam her already made their way back to New York I am sure they would be here soon to check on my mom, I left in a rush I didn't even inform them, but they found out after the news of Mom's accident had spread on the news and social media and so now I was left with no way to reach Avery. Five days passed, and Mom was discharged from the hospital. I spent two days with her, trying to make sure she was comfortable and settled. But as soon as I could, I headed back to Willow Creek, determined to find Avery and explain why I left without saying goodbye. I arrived in Willow Creek, my heart racing with anticipation. But as I drove to the diner, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. I pulled up to the diner, and that's when I saw it. The sign was still there, but it looked...different. The lights were off, and the doors were locked. I tried the handle, but it was locked. I knocked on the door, hoping someone would answer, but there was only silence. I looked around, feeling a growing sense of unease. Where was everyone? I spotted Mrs. Jenkins, a neighbor, watching me from across the street. I approached her, trying to keep my voice steady. "Mrs. Jenkins, where's Avery?" Her expression was somber, her eyes filled with pity. "Avery's gone, Ethan. Her grandmother passed away, and she left town haven't seen her since then."She said, "Nobody here in Willow Creek knows her whereabouts " I felt like I'd been punched in the gut, the air knocked out of me. Gone? What did she mean? I stumbled backward, feeling like I'd lost my footing. Avery was gone, and I had no way of finding her. No I won't give up on my only shot at finding true love, I would search for Avery no matter what it's takes.